I am currently putting together content for a couple of public courses and wanted some info and feedback.

Firstly does anyone know what are the insurance requirements for hosting an training event - for example in a hotel?

Secondly the training. I'd like some feedback on the types of course we are considering. So please let me know what you think, is it something you'd could be interested in for your business or would see value in, and any comments you care to give.

1. HR for SMEs - I am looking at a few stand alone half day modules
*Interviewing - how to hire the right person
*Policies and procedures - what should I have
*How to be an attractive business to work for even if I don't pay top
rates

2. Business Development for SMEs - also a few stand alone half day sessions
*Accessing business overseas - where do I start
*B2B Business Development - strategies and tools for "doing the
business"
*Growing customer accounts while getting new business - finding the
right balance

Lastly, I'd really appreciate it if you could take a couple of seconds to complete the poll - I want to gather some data on HR in SMEs.

Hi Jackie,
Can't answer the insurance requirements question directly but would imagine if you are planning on holding a few of these that you should have your own public liability insurance. (worth shopping around for).

I do see your courses as offering value to SMEs, the trouble of course will be what price they are! When you come to market these, you might want to point out that e.g. not hiring the right person can be so costly for a small company (so that it is clear there is a real return on investing in this course if you can avoid this cost in future)

I particularly liked the sound of "how to be an attractive business to work for" as often people think of larger companies as offering better packages, more job security etc. and might not be so inclined to look at smaller companies.

I also think that your business development ideas sound great, and isn't this what EI are all about at the moment, focusing on how to grow your business and reach overseas??

Thanks for the positive comments. I am hoping to be able to deliver each session for around €150 (+) per participant - not sure how this would sit with people but I am open to hearing feedback on this too.

Thanks to all for your feedback and comments. We will of course look at the discount situation but we have worked really hard to deliver the training at a low cost (certainly way below normal costs in Dublin) so will not have much latitude.

We have just launched our first of these workshops though. Entitled "Growing Sales in Hard Times" it is aimed at SMEs in the Business to Business sector and will deliver strategies and tools to help you continue to grow your sales through the current "squeeze".

We are offering this first workshop at an introductory price of €125 (+vat) - for a half day workshop. The first one is on Thursday 28th in Dublin.